The Champion’s game of the week: Cedar Grove vs. Lovett
Throughout the rest of the regular season, The Champion will select a “game of the week” before Friday night’s slate of games and write a preview for the selected game.
For the week of Sept. 21, the game of the week is Cedar Grove vs. Lovett. The game will be held at Godfrey Stadium with a kickoff time of 7:30 p.m. The Class AAA No. 2-ranked Cedar Grove Saints, who had a bye week last week, suffered their first loss against Class AAAAAAA No. 9-ranked McEachern on the road.
The Saints (3-1) are looking to get back in the win column and should do so against Lovett (1-3). Cedar Grove is 2-0 against the Lovett Lions in coach Jermaine Smith’s tenure. With an offense that features the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the nation Jadon Haselwood, and running backs Robert Jones III and Rashad Dubinion, the Saints should have no problems scoring points on a Lovett defense that has allowed 40 points or more in two games this season.
The Saints’ running game could play a big role in this matchup. Jones leads all team rushers with 349 yards on 38 carries (9.2 yards/carry) and four touchdowns this season. Dubinion, a freshman, has 27 carries for 204 yards (7.6/carry) and two touchdowns in four games.
So far, the quarterback rotation of senior Kendal Boney and sophomore Austin Smith has worked out well for Cedar Grove. Boney has been a bonus to the Saints’ rushing attack, scoring three touchdowns on the season. Smith has gotten the ball in the end zone through the air, throwing for four touchdowns on the season (30-of-43 passes for 297 yards).
The Saints’ secondary could have a big impact in this game.
Lovett’s quarterback Blaine McAllister has thrown five interceptions this season. Lovett also has struggled to run the ball this season, averaging just 78.3 rushing yards per game. With a defense led by linebacker Isaiah Ratcliff and defensive lineman Rashad Chaney, the Saints should have no problems stopping the run.
Other weekend matchups
Sept. 20
M.L. King (1-2) at Mundy’s Mill (3-2), 7 p.m. at Twelve Oaks Stadium (Clayton County)
Sept. 21
Forsyth Central (3-1) vs. Clarkston (0-5), 5:15 p.m. at Adams Stadium
Hapeville Charter (3-0) vs. McNair (2-2), 5:15 p.m. at Avondale Stadium
Westminster (2-2) vs. Towers (0-4), 5:15 p.m. at Hallford Stadium
Bremen (3-0) vs. Cross Keys (0-5), 5:15 p.m. at
North DeKalb Stadium
Decatur (1-2) at Grady (1-3), 5:30 p.m.
Chamblee (0-4) at Coffee Co. (5-0), 7:30 p.m.
Marist (3-1) at White County (1-3) 7:30 p.m.
Redan (0-4) at Pace Academy (2-2), 7:30 p.m.
St. Pius (4-1) at Loganville (2-3), 7:30 p.m.
Tucker (2-2) vs. Drew (1-3), 7:30 p.m., Southern Crescent Stadium (Clayton County)
Meadowcreek (4-0) vs. Lakeside (1-3), 8 p.m. at Adams Stadium
Shiloh (1-3) vs. Lithonia (3-1), 8 p.m. at Avondale Stadium
Stockbridge (4-0) vs. Columbia (1-3), 8 p.m. at Hallford Stadium
Alpharetta (2-1) vs. Dunwoody (1-3), 8 p.m. at
North DeKalb Stadium
